Lily Burns and Charlise Hannagan may be 70 years apart in age, but both agree that age is no barrier to volunteering.
Lily, 90, of Moorebank is one of HammondCare’s oldest volunteers while Charlise, aged 21, is one of the youngest.
Both women star in HammondCare’s new Share Joy – Volunteer with Us campaign alongside Chief Executive Mike Baird to encourage more people to consider the wonderful personal rewards that come from committing time to spread joy to older people.
HammondCare has about 750 volunteers and it is looking for more people willing to give 1-2 hours week for 12 months or longer in the community, in aged care homes or hospitals.
Ranks are down compared to before the pandemic – an experience shared by many not-for-profit organisations reliant on volunteer support. The Volunteering in Australia 2022 report, released by Volunteering Australia last October, found COVID-19 had resulted in a “substantial decline” in participation.
Each week Lily makes social visits to HammondCare’s The Pines aged care home where she brings laughter into the lives of residents, all of whom live with dementia. It does not matter to Welsh-born Lily that most are years her junior.
“We play bingo, dominoes, Uno or whatever they want to play, but usually they want to play bingo!” she said.
“The winner gets some sugar-free lollies that I bring along, but then again everyone gets some sugar-free lollies whether they win or not!”
Charlise, of Narellan is one of HammondCare’s volunteers who gives time to help home care residents. She drops by accompanied by her dog Mollie.
An NDIS support worker who wants to study Medicine next year, Charlise said she finds providing companionship to people in their homes who might otherwise be lonely is rewarding.
“I go into their houses and I bring Mollie,” she said.
”We have a chat, have a cup of tea or some gardening to help out and they can join in.”
Lily lost her husband Laurie six years ago this month after his own 15-year journey with dementia and her decision to volunteer at The Pines springs from that.
“Some residents with dementia don’t get visitors so if I can join in and bring some fun into their lives it’s wonderful,” she said.
Charlise says she is not aware of any friends who volunteer or anyone in her age group volunteering – something she’d like to see change.
Volunteering has been central to HammondCare’s Mission since the independent charity’s beginnings 90 years ago.
HammondCare has launched the Share Joy – Volunteer with Us campaign to find people keen to make a real difference in volunteering roles in NSW, the ACT and Victoria working in residential aged care, home care and healthcare.
In the short video, HammondCare Chief Executive Mike Baird explains in a light-hearted way what opportunities are available through crossing paths with different volunteers.
“I invite you to come and share your passion because you will be surprised by the joy you will bring,” Mike says in the video.
Opportunities to volunteer with HammondCare are as varied as the range of people HammondCare. The campaign message is that from music and art therapy to one-on-one companionship, HammondCare has something to suit everyone’s volunteering passion.
To see the campaign video on Youtube, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5-nuSLwD2Q
